Fort Lauderdale Strikers sign first American-Israeli player to team

Ryan Adeleye is headed back to the United States after five years of playing professional soccer in Israel. He will play defense for his new team, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Ryan Adeleye is headed back to the United States after five years of playing professional soccer in Israel. He will play defense for his new team, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. (submitted photo)

Alex KushelForum Publishing Group

Ryan Adeleye signed with FTL Strikers

Ryan Adeleye is starting a new chapter on the soccer field. The 27-year-old professional soccer player recently signed a deal with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers that will bring him back from Israel to United States soil.

Adeleye, who is the first American soccer player with a dual citizenship in Israel to play for the Strikers, is making his first professional stop in South Florida after a five year stint in Israel. Adeleye has excelled throughout his career at defense and will play the position for the Strikers, which play in the North American Soccer League.

"It's a very good opportunity for me and I am looking forward to working and dedicating myself to the team," Adeleye said. "I see myself as a defensively-minded player who is aggressive. I will give it everything I can to help the team."

Adeleye trained in a soccer camp in Florida leading up to an invitation tryout with the Strikers and was able to meet with past Strikers players.

It's was a series of milestones for Adeleye after arriving in Israel in 2009. He met his future wife at a local gym, later married, and his son was born three months ago as he acclimated into a new culture and became fluent in Hebrew.

"At first, it was a big adjustment to play soccer professionally," Adeleye said. "Living in Israel provided me this opportunity and it was a very enjoyable experience. I learned a new language and it was great to meet others in the Jewish community."

Adeleye was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey and grew up in Maplewood. His father is originally from Nigeria while his mother is from Connecticut. Adeleye's younger sister, Rachel, was a collegiate water polo player and received the gold medal at the 2013 Maccabiah Games.

He received all-state, all-conference, all-prep, and all-county honors for his playing excellence during his high school years at Newark Academy in New Jersey. After beginning his collegiate career in 2005 with Davidson College in North Carolina, Adeleye transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was a two-year starter at center back. He also helped the Tar Heels to finish as the runner-up to the University of Maryland in the 2008 NCAA national champion game.

"I was always serious about being a professional soccer player," Adeleye said. "The soccer environment in Chapel Hill provided me that chance."

After he went undrafted by Major League Soccer, Adeleye got back on to the field by signing with the Newark Ironbound Express Soccer Club, now named Jersey Express , of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development Side.

In early 2009 Adeleye had the opportunity to represent the United States men's soccer team at the Maccabiah Games in Israel. For Adeleye, the event proved to be a showcase with the chance to play friendly matches against Israeli soccer club Hapoel Be'er Sheva. He caught the attention of the Be'er Sheva club coaches and later signed with the team. Adeleye gained valuable experience on the field and played in 42 games over three seasons. He also received his Israeli citizenship.

In January of 2013, Adeleye signed with the Hapoel Ashkelon soccer club. In two seasons, he started 40 games and registered four goals from his defensive position.

"It's the biggest sport in Israel and I had the chance to play for a large club. It was exciting because you are noticed and people know who you are," Adeleye said.

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers, South Florida's only professional soccer squad, was founded in 1977 and play all home games in Fort Lauderdale at Lockhart Stadium.

The Strikers, which open the season in April, will hold open tryouts on Sunday, February 22 at 8 a.m. at Lockhart Stadium. Participants must be at least 18 years old and register for the tryout.